I am a 60-ish married engineer that has dealt with moderate eczema my entire life, primarily through the use of topical steroids. In early 2012 things started going wrong, and this blog is a personal diary of my journey through Topical Steroid Withdrawal, also known as Red Skin Syndrome, Topical Steroid Addiction, or Steroid Induced Eczema. I have been completely free from all steroids since July 9, 2013. Please see www.itsan.org for more info and feel free to post here!

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Wednesday, September 2, 2015 - An Update

My last post created a bit of concern, so I thought I'd post a 10 day later picture update. Still not looking (or feeling) too good, but there is substantial improvement. That red patch on my foot wasn't there a few hours ago... It is the result of rubbing my feet together while wearing socks. Ya think I'd learn.

Hi Dave,I love your blog!Just wondering if you are still doing the phototherapy?I've been doing for the past three weeks... noticed my itch has reduced, but still have stubborn spots that keep flaring.

Hi Sophie! I stopped at the beginning of summer but I am going to start back up. My light box has to be reset with a secret code from the doctor, and when I called to get one they won't do it unless I come in and see the dermatologist. So, I'll be going in to UT Southwestern this week. It's been over a year since I've been in and it will be interesting to see what they think of my latest flare. I'll make a post about it. Hugs from Texas!

Hi,How are you?I'm 19 and I've suffered with Eczema my whole life, I'm assuming just like you. I've just plucked up the courage to begin my own blog which will include TIPS I've learned for eczema management over my years, my own stories, photos of my eczema, how it's improved, supplements etc to take.. And I would just REALLY appreciate the support if you could follow me and recommend me to any other fellow sufferers you know.. I of course will be following back!Here is my blog: http://itchyandblotchy.blogspot.co.uk/

I really want to connect with as many eczema sufferers as I can and see if we can all find a way to beat this disease together :-)

Please do follow and visit my new blog!http://itchyandblotchy.blogspot.co.uk/

Hi Victor! This post was made by me over 2 years ago and I have gone through a couple big flares since then. I am doing very well right now though. I'm curious... Are you posting here to drop a link to your steroid selling business? If so, I would be interested in a conversation.

"Addiction to (Topical) Steroids is a serious problem which reaches tragic proportions in some cases. It is more common than realized, sly and seductive and will be prevented only when the physician becomes as impressed with the capacity of the steroids to do harm as they are with their power to suppress, not cure, virtually any inflammatory disorder." - Dr. Albert M. Kligman M.D. Ph.D. and Dr. Peter J. Frosch M.D., International Society of Topical Dermatology Journal, 1979